Taxes on onion, tomato imports from Afghanistan go

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): In an expected move, Pakistan on Thursday announced the exemption of tomato and onion imports from sales and withholding taxes.

In a bid to rein in vegetable prices, the federal cabinet decided on Tuesday to import onions and tomatoes from Afghanistan and Iran.

At a cabinet, meeting in Islamabad, the Ministry of Food had sought a waiver of taxes and levies on onion and tomato imports.

In response to the cabinet’s approval of a summary in this regard, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued notifications on about the tax waivers on Thursday.

Food prices have shot up in Pakistan as a result of devastating monsoon floods. In particular, a sharp spike in onion and tomato rates has been a cause for concern for the poor.

The notifications, seeking to expedite onion and tomato imports from the neighbouring countries, will remain in place until December 31.

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